Harris Benedict Equation for BMR and Daily Calorie Intake

The Harris Benedict Equation to calculate BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate was developed in 1919.

The first point to be made is that our bodies have certainly changed a lot since 1919, which adds more variables to the Harris Benedict Formula.

The Harris Benedict Formula shows how to calculate BMR, but this is only an estimate based on age, height and weight. Then activity level is added to estimate daily calorie intake needs.

While the Harris Benedict Equation can estimate Basal Metabolic Rate,it’s not designed for people who have excessive body fat and subjects of the same height and weight can vary greatly in their caloric needs.

The problem is that the Harris Benedict Calculator doesn’t factor in variables such as: